Normal operating temp for a 2000
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
Normal operating temp for a 2000
I just bought a 2000 stock black 6 speed. It runs like new and sounds great. The previous owner kept it in good shape and cut out the top of the air intake.
The operating temp is between 189-190 under normal conditions. It runs great here in the desert where the temp has been 75-90. This seems low which is probably good. I am not complaining but want to know why.
Did the previous owner change the thermostat??? It looks like the stock radiator so is this normal?
Also, will an air intake make any real difference? I was thinking about getting one of them an d read that they are all similar.
The operating temp is between 189-190 under normal conditions. It runs great here in the desert where the temp has been 75-90. This seems low which is probably good. I am not complaining but want to know why.
Did the previous owner change the thermostat??? It looks like the stock radiator so is this normal?
Also, will an air intake make any real difference? I was thinking about getting one of them an d read that they are all similar.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,805
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
I'd say for your climate your cooling system is performing well.
Most of your after-market air intake systems are similar in
performance gains,a few offer greater HP gains than the rest.
Most of these gains are realized however when the car is
moving at a considerable speed.
It will enable you to keep your car running cooler and breathing
easier just not around town driving.
If anyone else cares to chime in I'm all ears,God knows
I'm no expert.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I just bought a 2000 stock black 6 speed. It runs like new and sounds great. The previous owner kept it in good shape and cut out the top of the air intake.
The operating temp is between 189-190 under normal conditions. It runs great here in the desert where the temp has been 75-90. This seems low which is probably good. I am not complaining but want to know why.
Did the previous owner change the thermostat??? It looks like the stock radiator so is this normal?
Also, will an air intake make any real difference? I was thinking about getting one of them an d read that they are all similar.
The operating temp is between 189-190 under normal conditions. It runs great here in the desert where the temp has been 75-90. This seems low which is probably good. I am not complaining but want to know why.
Did the previous owner change the thermostat??? It looks like the stock radiator so is this normal?
Also, will an air intake make any real difference? I was thinking about getting one of them an d read that they are all similar.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
When I bought my 00-C5 recently, I was told to swap out the stock thermo by my brother who's been a Corvette owner (SleeperC5) for a long time and put in a 160T-Stat and immediately saw the difference. Usually cruising at 80-85, temp stayed in that range 189-190, and even approached 200+ in city stop and go traffic, now with the 160T, highway cruising 80-85mph, stays in the 176-78 range, city driving in the 190 range. Tuner lower fan operation when I had my street-tune. Makes sense?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
The thermostat only controls when coolant starts flowing through the engine. The max temp of a Vette system is determined by radiator size and fan activation temps. At highway speed at low to moderate temps, a C5 with a 160 deg stat might run in the 170-180 range versus stock of 190-200. However, in stop and go traffic, due to lack of airflow through the radiator, the temps will still keep rising until the fans are activated, which is on low speed at about 226 and on high at 235 (stock.) Lowering the fan temps will keep the max temps lower at near stock power levels. However, if horsepower has been increased significantly (stroker, FI, etc) or in extremely hot temps (like AZ or NV) even that may not keep the system cool, requiring a high capacity radiator.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
Thanks
Wow what a great site!!! thanks for the info on the temps of the C-5. I have had mine for 5 yrs and NEVER realized how hot it ran till I took a 600 mile trip in one day. I live on the outer banks of NC and ALWAYS use the AC. This past Thanksgiving Week I had to take a quick trip out of state and because of the cool temps up north, I did not use my AC. The engine temps sored (225) in city driving. I was very concerned. Only when I turned on the AC/Defroster because of the need to defrost my windshield did I put it together that the fans RUN the moment you put the AC on and allows the engine to run cooler. Do you think it is neccessary to put in a lower Thermostat and have the adjustment made to the computer to allow the engine to run cooler. I have always thought, Heat was bad for an engine. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Wow what a great site!!! thanks for the info on the temps of the C-5. I have had mine for 5 yrs and NEVER realized how hot it ran till I took a 600 mile trip in one day. I live on the outer banks of NC and ALWAYS use the AC. This past Thanksgiving Week I had to take a quick trip out of state and because of the cool temps up north, I did not use my AC. The engine temps sored (225) in city driving. I was very concerned. Only when I turned on the AC/Defroster because of the need to defrost my windshield did I put it together that the fans RUN the moment you put the AC on and allows the engine to run cooler. Do you think it is neccessary to put in a lower Thermostat and have the adjustment made to the computer to allow the engine to run cooler. I have always thought, Heat was bad for an engine. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 11
From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
The max temp of a Vette system is determined by radiator size and fan activation temps. At highway speed at low to moderate temps, a C5 with a 160 deg stat might run in the 170-180 range versus stock of 190-200. However, in stop and go traffic, due to lack of airflow through the radiator, the temps will still keep rising until the fans are activated, which is on low speed at about 226 and on high at 235 (stock.)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
I just bought a 2000 stock black 6 speed. It runs like new and sounds great. The previous owner kept it in good shape and cut out the top of the air intake.
The operating temp is between 189-190 under normal conditions. It runs great here in the desert where the temp has been 75-90. This seems low which is probably good. I am not complaining but want to know why.
Did the previous owner change the thermostat??? It looks like the stock radiator so is this normal?
Also, will an air intake make any real difference? I was thinking about getting one of them an d read that they are all similar.
The operating temp is between 189-190 under normal conditions. It runs great here in the desert where the temp has been 75-90. This seems low which is probably good. I am not complaining but want to know why.
Did the previous owner change the thermostat??? It looks like the stock radiator so is this normal?
Also, will an air intake make any real difference? I was thinking about getting one of them an d read that they are all similar.
I found the original owner's name in the manual. I am calling him next week to se what he did. It will be interesting to see what he did versus what we suspected.
This forum rocks!!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Odd, I never get over 190... I hover right between 189 and 190.... I was searching for this because the other night it was cold (12 degrees) here and sitting idle in a parking lot for 20 min with the heat on caused it to bump up over 220, the fans didn't kick on yet but I had a nasty coolant-burning smell and was afriad something got tooo hot, perhaps it was just burning a bit of the extras off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Odd, I never get over 190... I hover right between 189 and 190.... I was searching for this because the other night it was cold (12 degrees) here and sitting idle in a parking lot for 20 min with the heat on caused it to bump up over 220, the fans didn't kick on yet but I had a nasty coolant-burning smell and was afriad something got tooo hot, perhaps it was just burning a bit of the extras off.
Check your coolant color by sucking some out with a turkey baster. It should be pink. If it is muddy red or brown, you need to flush it and change it. Dexcool does not like air leaks, it turns muddy and thick.
Find your air leak first. Look for coolant leaks, they leave white residue.